Hull recycling workers win right to sick pay

Mick Whale, Hull Trade Union Council president

FCC recycling workers - members of Unison in Wilmington, Hull - have agreed to suspend their strike action after FCC management agreed to introduce a sick pay scheme.

The Spanish-based multinational had point-blank refused to negotiate on any terms and conditions at the start of the strike and, despite a turnover of nearly €500 million in 2017, they refused to pay sick pay to the workforce.

The strike action, backed up by national and international solidarity, forced FCC to the table and to concede sick pay.

While some of the workforce are concerned that the details fall short of the full demands of the strikers for parity with management, there is an understanding that this is nonetheless a huge victory. The strike is suspended for three months to monitor FCC's integrity to operate a sick pay scheme properly. If FCC reneges on the deal, the workers will be out again!

Important victory

This is an important victory. Not only have the Hull workers got sick pay, all 2,000 of FCC's workforce in the UK will now have some sick pay protection. While many recent strikes have been to protect or defend existing conditions, this is an offensive strike which has improved terms and conditions.

A group of 14 workers have forced a giant multinational company to retreat. This was possible because the strikers were determined and supported at every level of the labour and trade union movement both nationally and internationally.